{"id":16314,"date":"2016-11-04T10:00:03","date_gmt":"2016-11-04T17:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/classicalguitarshed.foureyes.com\/?p=16314"},"modified":"2023-11-15T03:43:13","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T11:43:13","slug":"3-tips-comfortable-slurs-easier-hammer-ons-and-pull-offs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/3-tips-comfortable-slurs-easier-hammer-ons-and-pull-offs\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Tips for Comfortable Slurs: Easier Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Slurs, also known as \u201chammer-ons\u201d and \u201cpull-offs\u201d, are both an effective exercise for the hands, and a common musical technique in classical guitar pieces.<\/p>\n

In music, they allow us to inflect the music in a vocal-like way. They allow us to potentially play scale passages and ornaments (trills, etc.) more quickly and smoothly than we otherwise would.<\/p>\n

As an exercise, hammer-ons and pull-offs<\/a> build strength, stretch, and finger independence. At any ability level, we can use slurs as a high-leverage technique exercise.<\/p>\n

At First, Slurs may be Tricky<\/h2>\n

When we first learn slur technique, they are strenuous and awkward. We don\u2019t yet have the finger independence and accuracy we need to play them well.<\/p>\n

Hammer-ons take accurate aim and a directed muscle movement. Pull-offs require movements and control that we don\u2019t require in every-day life.<\/p>\n

But there are a few tweaks you can make to improve your slurs, and have new experiences in your hands.<\/p>\n